Steelers Host Three Prospects for Upcoming NFL Draft

April 2, 2013

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Inside linebacker Vince Williams of Florida State, defensive end-linebacker John Simon of Ohio State and running back Christine Michael of Texas A&M visited Monday with the Steelers, the first players brought in for in-house interviews.

NFL teams are permitted to bring in as many 30 players for interviews in advance of the April 25-27 draft.

Simon and Michael are projected as early to mid-round picks, while Williams – who visited last week with the Chiefs – is seen as a later-round pick.

Simon is coming off shoulder surgery that didn’t allow him to take part in any of the drills at the recent NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, so he had his own pro day last week in Columbus.

A high-motor player known for being one of the strongest players at his position, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Simon – from Youngstown – was a first team All-Big Ten player last season and led the conference with nine sacks.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Michael was a backup last season after falling out of favor with coach Kevin Sumlin, but ran for 12 touchdowns and 417 yards on only 88 carries. He missed meetings with two NFL teams at the combine after oversleeping, which he later blamed on taking a nighttime cold medicine.

Michael worked out recently for Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson at Texas A&M’s pro day last month.